Dear Friends,
I am writing to thank you for the many gifts that I have received from you. I have been blessed by your generosity although I have not asked for nor been in need of anything. You see, I have already been given the greatest of all gifts from our Heavenly Father—the gift of contentment.
Yours truly,
Paul wrote a similar letter from prison to the Philippians thanking them for their gifts, but explaining that they were not really needed since he had learned to be content in plenty and in want, through his relationship with Christ.
Instead of bemoaning his difficult circumstances, he turned them into opportunities for spiritual growth by depending on Christ for the strength to rise above whatever came his way, and Christ had sustained him. He closed his letter by thanking them for sharing his troubles and by assuring them that the Lord is pleased with their gifts and will reward them.
These verses have given me much to think about. Previously I had not considered that by being content I was honoring God. Though I have known all along that all I have and all I am is because of God's grace, I have often forgotten that my ultimate goal should be to bring glory and honor to his name by my faithfulness.
During this season of Lent it will be my constant prayer that I can honor God by depending on him in all circumstances. And every Sunday when I sing the Doxology, let me truly be praising "God from whom ALL blessings flow."
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help us to focus on your unfailing love. May we find joy in knowing that only by trusting you can we be brought to a place of complete contentment. Thank you for your many blessings and for your son. Amen
Written by Debbie Powell
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